"We are excited to have another Bryant involved in the
Lakers/Sparks organization," Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss said
Monday in a statement. "Joe is a good guy with a sound basketball
mind."

The elder Bryant played eight years in the NBA with the
Philadelphia 76ers, San Diego Clippers and Houston Rockets before
moving to Italy, where he played in the 1980s. He began his
coaching career in 2003, and most recently has been the head coach
of a pair of ABA teams -- the Las Vegas Rattlers and Boston Frenzy.

Henry Bibby, another former NBA player, is in his first season
as head coach of the Sparks, who bring a 9-7 record into a game
against the Charlotte Sting on Tuesday night at Staples Center.